Wait Upon the Lord

Wow Ladies Meeting-

Wait Upon the Lord

Isa 30:18

the LORD longs to be gracious to you;

he rises to show you compassion.

For the LORD is a God of justice.

Blessed are all who wait for him!

NIV

Waiting upon the Lord, that is what I want to speak to you about today.

God desires us to depend upon Him, through all the situations in our life. To rejoice that He will lead, that He will take care of us, that He will solve our problems and give us our hope.   IN HIS TIMING

Sounds good, but waiting is very hard to do.

                          God has His timing, his way, his answers.  They don’t always match up with our ways, our timing, our answers. I remember my salvation at the age of 17, and how naive I was, my family was not saved so they didn’t care if I dated a Christian or not. I tended to date Catholic Mexican boys. I guess I like the tall dark and handsome!! I had no clue about religion, but God had a plan. God was already leading my life, I did not know that even then I was waiting upon Him to lead in my life.

 I knew this skinny kid in History class, that tended to wear un-matching colors (he is mildly color blind), he was what they call wall eyed, so some people had a hard time looking at him. (Something that didn’t affect me but did affect my girlfriends, they wanted nothing to do with him). He for sure wasn’t interested in school work, and I was a straight A student.  A kid that I wasn’t at all interested in dating, didn’t really like, and would not have picked for my life.

The one thing I knew was that I was saved, God did it, and I wanted to serve God, but I didn’t even think about what I was supposed to do as a Christian.

And so, God had a plan, he wanted me to marry a Christian young man, and so he led me to love my husband. We from the very beginning, before we were married, Jon and I went to church, high school and also college together, and I began to understand more and more about my God.

 Ps 33:18-22

20 We wait in hope for the LORD;

he is our help and our shield.

21 In him our hearts rejoice,

for we trust in his holy name.

22 May your unfailing love rest upon us, O LORD,

even as we put our hope in you.

More and more had to learn to try to trust God in all things, the more trials and testing we have had to go through. God has led us through hill tops and valleys. Times of poverty and want, and because of these struggles we had to learn to put our trust and hope in Him. Jon went from working in the Navy to working in a hospital. He worked for a doctor who was using expired medicines. Jon had to make a stand for what was right and lost his job. This was a time of difficult trials, A time when we had to trust God to lead us.

  A time that led us to the High Desert and Jon started to work with his family in Construction. During this time we continued to go to church and serve God. When Jon was working as a dry-waller, we needed 150 dollars and there was no work. When we exhausted every means that we could to get that money, Jon said out loud, I can’t do it God, you will have to. At that very moment, we got a phone call for work. It paid 150 dollars. God was teaching us to wait upon Him, that he provided our needs, that all things work for good. And He brought us to where we would minister.

Rom 8:26-39

28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose

31 If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all-how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33 Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died-more than that, who was raised to life-is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36 As it is written:

"For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered."  

37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

As we learned to trust God with our finances, our family, and our walk, God was teaching me more and more to depend on His timing. Things never came when I thought they should happen, I call them my 5 year experiences. Like when Jon surrendered to preach. Jon had been preaching, teaching and working in the church for many years already. I guess I figured we would walk right into service at another church.  Time began ticking away as we waited for God to direct us. Five years had passed and although Jon preached in many churches, he felt that he was not called to be their pastor. I was beginning to wonder, and I was frustrated with the wait. Just then God began directing us to begin a work here in Phelan. To begin a work, not walk into an existing church. We had to learn the struggles of building a ministry.

And to look forward to more 5 year experiences!

God was again teaching us to depend upon Him even deeper in our walk.

During the time we have been in God’s service, we have seen many heart-aches. There have been some that have tried to destroy the work here, and have tried to destroy us with it.  Paul understood how man tries to condemn.

1 Corinthians 4

4:1 So then, men ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. 2 Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 3 I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Satan is a destroyer, and we know that much of what happens to us is the result of evil trying to prevent God’s work. Men have the propensity to judge one another. We have to remember to please God. It is difficult when things around you are horrible and it feels like there is no escape, all you can do is turn to God and try to trust that He is leading, directing and orchestrating. Sometimes it feels like our problems are unsolvable and unending. Troubles and trials seem to be always near, and we struggle through them.

But God has given us something that the world doesn’t have, and that is faithful Christian friends. As Debbie brought to us last meeting, we need to lift each other up in prayer, everyone in this room is going through the trials and testing of life. Everyone that is a Christian will go through these trials as God teaches us and draws us to him and his will for us. But people will turn on you if you care, and people will slander you. Therefore, look at what is pure, honest, and of good report. Not gossiping or spreading hurt, but looking for the virtue, and looking to praise others. The time of the end of things is near….

1 Peter 4:7-5:1

7 The end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God's grace in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen.

12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us, what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,

"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the ungodly and the sinner?"  

19 So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good.

James 5:7-20

7 Be patient, then, brothers, until the Lord's coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop and how patient he is for the autumn and spring rains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord's coming is near. 9 Don't grumble against each other, brothers, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!

10 Brothers, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we consider blessed those who have persevered. You have heard of Job's perseverance and have seen what the Lord finally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy.

12 Above all, my brothers, do not swear-not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your "Yes" be yes, and your "No," no, or you will be condemned.

13 Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. 14 Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17 Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops.

19 My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

NIV

More and more as we continue to walk in service, we find that we must truly look at God. You can do for men, to help in service and to lead them to worship God, but many will turn on you and lash out to hurt. Don’t let this stop you from doing what is right, but let it turn you instead to serving God through what you are doing for others. Then it is an easy thing to serve God, and let man say what he will. As you realize more and more that it is not about us, and it is also not about what others think about us. It is only about God, and he will in return give us the strength to endure all things.

Isa 40:28-31

The everlasting God, the LORD,

The Creator of the ends of the earth,

Neither faints nor is weary.

His understanding is unsearchable.

29 He gives power to the weak,

And to those who have no might He increases strength.

30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary,

And the young men shall utterly fall,

31 But those who wait on the LORD

Shall renew their strength;

They shall mount up with wings like eagles,

They shall run and not be weary,

They shall walk and not faint.

NKJV

Ps 27:13-14

13 I am still confident of this:

I will see the goodness of the LORD

in the land of the living.

14 Wait for the LORD;

be strong and take heart

and wait for the LORD.

NIV

Wow Fiesta

Wow Fiesta

Pray for Meeting

Singing- 3:10 –3:15               5min – to 3:20

Kids song –

I’m upright downright …….happy all the time

10 beauty for ashes

Games

The Seniorita Game – beginning of the retreat     to – 3:30

Senioritas and Senoras, Hoy es el dia que encendemos para arriba para el dios

Ladies today is the day we fire up for God. It is going to be a wonderful day filled with fun activities, devotion to God and friendship with one another.  We are going to begin by playing a simple game, you will need a few math skills and you must pay close attention.

Senioritas, This is a que bueno game, it really does not have a name

It is as simple as a game should be, you just do as you are told and you will see

Please play close attention and we will put an end to the suspension!

In the end, la senora with the most, will receive a prize of which to boast

And since we are such muchachas linda,  give yourself 5 points if you came with a bible that’s splenda!

Add three points if your toes peak out and any earrings will give you 3 points to shout

Score 5 more if you wear the Mexican color red, and 6 more if you have curls on your head!

Now before you think you are going all right, take 2 away for pants that are too tight!

Add five if your shoes are black and take 3 away if you have a zipper in the back

Now count your buttons, for each you get 2 and take away one for every button that’s blue

Give yourself 5 if your heels are over 2” high and why not take away 5 for Irish green in your eyes!

10 more points for flowers on your clothes and take 5 away if the flower is a rose

If your esposa, your husband kissed you today add 9 and if not subtract 12- your subject to this fine.

This es el todo, there isn’t any more, who is the lady with the highest senorita score?

PRIZE_ note cards

Winners get aiiiiiii aiiiiii aiiii  from us!!

Que Bueno that was much fun, the next thing we must do is get shirts for everyone ( till – 3:45

You are stamping your shirt to wear and tell others about the fun you had today, and to give an opportunity to share your faith and the blessings that you have received from God. There are shirts for each of you and 6 stamps (show them the paint and stamps – demo ). There are trash bags if you want to protect your clothing or an apron or two. Some will be working on the shirts while others will be working on a fired up bracelet –

( show the bracelet, and what it can say, show the peppers ) but the bracelet has a catch….

For every 4 beads you put onto the bracelet you must shout out a praise to God. He is the author and finisher of our faith and we want to praise him for all that he is doing!

The third activity that we have for you is a Mexican God’s eye pin. ( show and demo- glue and criss-cross the middle go around the outside, glue and add pin back) As you finish a craft please trade places with others. We want all of you to leave today with these three crafts. After you have finished all three crafts we ask you to move to the pews so we know all are finished. Now remember, those that are putting together the bracelet we want you to praise God for all he has done for you, don’t be shy!!

Tee Shirt retreat – Beginning before bracelets so they have a chance to dry (trash bags so ladies protect their clothing) tee shirts, paints, stamps, need table covered with cheap plastic cloth

Put shirts in an area so fan blows on them to dry              

Gods eyes pins –

Craft Pepper bracelets – you must praise God for each time you have put on 4 beads (beginning of the retreat)

Chips and Salsa for snacking

Now while our shirts dry and we have our bracelets on, lets lift our voices in praise

Green book      5min till 4:15

88 Arise, shine

Red – 507 It only takes a Spark to get a fire going

Listen to the devotion that Cheran has prepared. We pray that God will speak to your hearts about your faith and that you will leave today with an uplifted spirit and a desire to do what God wants in your life.

Devotion - Cheran        15min till 4:30

Treasures are around us in the blessings we receive they can be large treasures or small. We want you to discover treasure today. We are going to put you into teams and you will be given clues to where your treasure is hidden. As a team you are going to find these treasures. After all the treasure has been found you will bring them to the front of the room and share with us what you have found.  There is a prize for the winning team!

PRIZE – Fire Extinguishers

Separate the ladies into teams give them the first clue and then say on your mark get set go

Cortez Treasure – team treasure hunts   30 min (scriptures attached) Till 5:00

 Tell each other of the treasures you found (scriptures)

The winning team goes first in line for food – Pray for the blessing on the food.

Dinner                  40min  Till - 5:40

Enchiladas

Mexican egg rolls

Green salad

Chips and salsa

Beans 

Rice

Lemonade

Tea

coffee

Now that you are filled, and are thinking about a siesta,  we are going to have an auction. Grab your coins and join in the fun    30min till 6:10

Chocolate bowl and cup, 2 wall plaques , 2 pins, 2 banks , Tabasco sauce, painting

Little cactus plants,

Chili Key Chains-      

Journal Jar- 15min  till 6:25

Chili pillow pass  Groups must be no more than 5 ladies!!!    15min Till 6:40        

PRIZE – 5 cups

 No fiesta would be complete without a pinata    15min till 7:00

This is a little different kind of piñata, you must pull out the sticks carefully, each one taking turns the lady that is just before the lady that makes them all fall will receive a prize!

PRIZE -

Pictionary = Hot Times in the Bible (20 –30 min)

Another song or two till 7:40

We bring the sacrifice of praise

Wear your shirts tomorrow!! Tell others how much fun you had here today!

Psalm 121

This day has been a reminder of A fiesta, a celebration , a rejoicing because God is mine and He will watch over me

We are special ladies, called out to serve God.

We have a purpose and are a part of His plan, We can lift up our voices in praise for the

Things that He has done.

We are victors because of Him..

God does not promise us smooth sailing, just a straight pilot of our ship.

If we believe God’s word, then you must believe that we will go through periods of distress and doubt, of turmoil and darkness. I want us ladies to walk out of this meeting with a renewed sense of God’s presence in our life and a trust that he will guide us and watch over us. with a renewed joy, a renewed sense of service, a renewed love for God.

For my devotion I believe God’s word says what we need to hear, more than any words I could say, so if you have a Bible, please turn to PS 121 if not, I ask that you listen carefully to this psalm.

Ps 121

I lift up my eyes to the hills--

where does my help come from?

2 My help comes from the LORD,

the Maker of heaven and earth.

3 He will not let your foot slip--

he who watches over you will not slumber;

4 indeed, he who watches over Israel

will neither slumber nor sleep.

5 The LORD watches over you--

the LORD is your shade at your right hand;

6 the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

7 The LORD will keep you from all harm--

he will watch over your life;

8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

As we close this ladies retreat, I ask you all to join hands in a circle to pray

Thank you Lord for this wonderful day,………

Extra fillers

Superlative Game- volunteers for each superlative

Longest – tongue

Widest – hand span

Biggest – foot

Newest – wedding ring

Prettiest –  finger nails

Pictionary Game

Elijah and the fire from heaven to consume the sacrifice                              

Elijah taken to heaven in a firey chariot

Moses and the burning bush

The burning of a sacrifice

The cloven tongues of fire at Pentacost

Did not our heart burn within us – Men on the road to Emmaus

A pillar of fire by night – Exodus

Gideon with  the torches in jars and the trumpets

Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego  in the furnace

Sodom and Gomorrah destroyed by fire and brimstone

The 7 candlesticks

The firey lake burning (hell)

Jesus the light of the world

Don’t hide your light under a bushel

a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.

Mt. Sinai

Paul bitten by the snake in the fire

devotion –Kim  15 min       till 7:55

Christian Love

They will know we are Christians by our Love

            It seems expected that in the month of February we would be speaking about love. It is in this month that we remember our loved ones and send them gifts and cards to express that love. It is my desire that you, the ladies of Cornerstone, grow in love for God and one another, and that we follow His commandments and grow in the ways that He wants us to grow.

             We know that God loves us; there are numerous scriptures that tell us so, especially in the Psalms. We don’t really need to be reminded of our Father’s love for us. The fact is that His love is unconditional, unchanging, and not dependent upon us.

            The Bible often speaks of God’s love for us,

But what I want to speak to you about is how he expects us to love. That is where we need to pay heed to God’s word.

            God tells his people from the beginnings, the things we should do to please Him.. The Old Testament is full of examples like the one in Deut. 10:12-13  

 Deut 10:12-13

And now, O Israel, what does the LORD your God ask of you but to fear the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, to love him, to serve the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and to observe the LORD's commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

            What we need to examine is do we really love Him with all our heart and soul? Do we really keep His commandments? Do we really serve Him? And what are His commands about our love toward others?

. If we really love God we would be thinking about Him, talking about His word, and sharing our faith. We would love to see and hear God’s word in our homes.

Deut 6:5-9

Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. 6 These commandments that I give you today are to be upon your hearts. 7 Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. 8 Tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. 9 Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates.

NIV

Those scriptures tell us how we should love God.

Jesus tells us that to Love God we keep his commandments, and the greatest commandments he has told us. We should love those around us, whether friend or foe.

 Matt 22:36-40

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?"

37 Jesus replied: "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.'   38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'   40 All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.

Rom 13:10

Love does no harm to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

NIV

 So Do we really love our God and do those things?  If we love God, what about the second commandment, loving our neighbors?….

When we think of our neighbors, we should think of those around us in the world.

Luke 6:27-38

I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.

32 "If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that.   34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

37 "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven. 38 Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you." 

NIV

God makes it clear that to keep these commandments, it would not be easy. We do not automatically love enemies.  It is not natural for us to act this way, but as Christians, we will be known by our love.

But if we love our enemies to this extent, how much more should we love our Christian family? Rom 12:10-13:1   Hebrews 10:23-25

Rom 12:10-13:1

Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.

14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.

17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay," says the Lord. 20 On the contrary:

"If your enemy is hungry, feed him;

if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.

In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."  

21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

NIV

Heb 10:23-25

3 Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24 And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25 Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another-and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

NIV

Finally, we all know these scriptures, but we must look carefully at them once again. Do we truly love? Examine yourself and your motives as we read 1 Cor 13:1-10

1 Cor 13:1-10

:1 If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing.

4 Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. 5 It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. 6 Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. 7 It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

8 Love never fails

I challenge you to pray daily asking God to help you truly love.

God Rocks

Wow Ladies Retreat - 2007

God Rocks

Items to bring - , personal hygiene items ( toothpaste, hairbrush, shampoo, etc) , towels and wash cloth, clothes for church on Sunday,  money for a trip into town, bible , notebook, pen or pencil,  comfortable walking shoes, light jacket, camera if you want, bring coins for auction

Friday July 27

Theme Song -  The Solid Rock

Arrive , unpack, meet in main room for gift (bag of goodies, Tee shirt) explain that they will need to keep their goodies for tomorrow’s activities and we hope all will wear their t-shirts tomorrow, prayer.

               

Farmer’s  Market - 5-7:00pm

Singing  - Solid Rock

Evening Devotional - Debbie

Finger foods, sandwiches, chips/ veggie trays/ ice tea/ lemonaide

Evening Games and actiivities

                Smores,  trail mix or popcorn

                Jinga, 

Saturday July 28^th

8:00 breakfast -  Muffins,  Eggs,  sausage,  Costco  sweet muffin

Devotional -  Colette

Tell them about Rocks - they will provide devotional by what they have to say about  their rock

 Quiet time, free time

Craft -  coin purses

Craft- Making cards -Card writing-

Song Practice - singing

Lunch - sandwiches, veggies, ice tea, lemonaide

Devotional - Ladies all share about what the rock means in connection with their walk with God.

Walk - 

Afternoon trip into town for shake and fries!

more crafts or games

Craft- cross

Craft- God Rocks Necklace or pin

 Auction of  items

Dinner - Pizza from Costco - we bake

Devotional - Kim

I have been reading in the book of Isaiah lately. God I am sure had it laid out for me to be in this book at this time, and to bring this devotion to you from his words in that book. There is so much in God’s word, and it is hard to not want to read you every word. If you do not read God’s word, I encourage you to begin.

                In the time of Isaiah the prophet there was  a  king.  The king’s name was Hezikiah, and he was dying. Hezikiah had removed the idols from the high places and done righteous things, so he cried to the Lord asking him to spare his life and God granted him another 15 years.  When he recovered  Hezikiah was so excited that he showed off to some visiting men from Babylon. That is when God sent Isaiah to Hezikiah to tell him that his children and all the things he had bragged about would be taken away at the time of his death- 15 years later.

                But God is so merciful, he wanted those that would be carried away to have a hope. Before the Babylonians came to take them captive for 70 years, Isaiah wrote, and I encourage you when you have more time to read all of Isaiah , for God gave them and us more than a prophecy of 85 years, he proclaimed the coming of our Messiah . 

                I want to read to you the words that God spoke to them before they were taken away, ( read 40) , then  42:1-12.  These words were written as a comfort and a hope.  Just as they are written to us as a comfort and a hope.   God wants us to know that when all seems lost He has a plan for us. It is He that is directing us. His plan for us has been laid out before the foundations of the earth. There is no other God, no other perfect savior.

Read 43:1-13

                Remember, these words were written 15 years before their captivity.  God is so awesome.  We are going to pick it up again in 44:23 (44:23 to 45:7)  Cyrus the Great was mentioned by name, before he was born.  85 years in the future Cyrus would read these words, know that God is God, and let the Israelites return to rebuild. But these words in Isaiah were not written only for the Israelites, they were written for us as well. Turn now to 1Peter 1:10 TO 1Peter 2:9

                God preserves us ,  takes us through the trials we need to go through. We are nothing, but what He desires. He has given us salvation. He has made us living stones. Redeemed, chosen to be a  royal priest hood, proclaiming  praises to Him that called us from darkness into His wonderful light.

                Do you live like a living stone? Do you see God’s majesty and strength? Do you understand that He directs? That he has power over all? Do you lean on His way, Trust in His directing? His timing?  Do you strive to do the things that please God? 1Peter 3:3  -5

                I am not much, but God has made me a living stone, called out by him into salvation, promised a future hope.  I am like this small rock, worn down by the things of the world, but given hope in God. God has placed within me a light.  He wants us to praise him, to worship him, to proclaim the great things he has done for us.  If we do this small thing, we shine with unfading beauty because we put our hope in God.  I want to shine for God. (light the candle) and I want the ladies that are at Cornerstone to shine as well.  (give all a candle and light each one.)  Take this light within this rock, and remember you are a living stone. You have a purpose that God has set for you.  Place your trust in Him and Know that He is God.

Evening games and activities

Scruples, mad libs

Bible Pantomime

Sunday - 

Breakfast- eggs, pancakes, real magarine , syrup

 prayer, 

cleanup, back down for SS.

 

Ladies Tea

How about PUT A PENNY? You have everyone bring a bag of pennies......even a dollars worth will do. You ask questions and they put or take pennies from the middle of the table as the answers indicate. For instance: If you have ever been to Florida take a penny.....If you have ever worn white shoes after Labor day...put in two pennies...if you have ever had a cake fall..take a penny....if you met your husband on a blind date....give two pennies....etc.... The winners are those with the most pennies at each table. I suggest a box of flavored tea or a cup and saucer for prizes. The pennies by the way should all go to the missions!

~ Afternoon Tea

My copper kettle

whistles merrily

and signals that

it is time for tea.

The fine china cups

are filled with the brew.

There's lemon and sugar

and sweet cream, too.

But, best of all

there's friendship, between you and me.

As we lovingly share

our afternoon tea.

- Marianna Arolin

Once I went to a woman's activity and they had a poem word-processed out on nice paper (suitable for framing) and rolled into scroll with ribbons and bows tied around it. They were sitting in a flower vase and given to each lady as they came in.

Devotional

WHAT I LEARNED FROM GOD WHILE BREWING TEA

  Every time I brew a cup of tea, I think of what Eleanor Roosevelt said, "Women are like tea bags.  Put them in hot water and their true strength emerges."

When the tea bag is sitting on the shelf, in its colorful box, carefully wrapped in a protective shield, it stays nice and fresh.  We're like that too.  When we're wrapped up in our peaceful lifestyle, and everything is going well, we feel nice and secure.

Like individuals, every tea has a different personality.  There are also different grades of teas, from premium to low grade, just as there are different levels of faith.  Like people, some teas are strong and full of flavor, and some are very aromatic, but without much substance.  There are teas known for their calming, soothing effect, and teas that give strength and energy.  Some of the weaker teas are tasteless, and just grow lukewarm as they steep.

But what happens when we are yanked out of our comfort zone?  Like a tea bag that is unwrapped and plunked into a cup of hot water, we can find ourselves plunked into a cup of trouble.  Now the real test begins.  What will emerge as the hot water uncurls the little dried tea leaves?  What level of strength emerges from us as we are steeped in difficulty?

Just as a tea bag hangs from a string tag, we too have a lifeline to which we can hold:  Jesus.  As we hold on to Him, we feel His peace emerge, and He flavors our troubled waters.  His power and energy moves through our situations, changing our despair to hope through faith in His promises.  And as we trust Jesus, He becomes the flavorful strength that anchors our souls, and we become the tag that is lifted and draped securely outside the cup of hot water.

The lift we get from a cup of tea lasts only a short time, but the lift we get from Jesus is long lasting.  In fact, it will take us all the way to heaven!

There are a lot of recipes online that you can get to make tea sandwiches, scones, and other English type treats. :)

Alice in Wonderland Tea

Alice in Wonderland tea

10:10 Welcome - Today we will be enjoying a tea party , Alice in Wonderland style.  You have already fallen down the rabbit’s hole and have found yourself at the Mad hatter’s tea party, You probably can almost hear them singing their tea party songs.  You will meet several other characters in Alice’s wonderland and they will teach you about your own wonderful walk with God.  So, We hope you will enjoy the day and  you will take home a special memory of your day in Wonderland.

Before we begin,

                We need items for the birthday baskets, both for adults and children

                We are starting the Secret Sisters with a twist, we are not going to reveal our identities, it will be anonymous.  If you can’t commit to giving a card, note, or small gift at least every 3 weeks, then please do not participate.

Prayer

10:15- 10:45 Game: Who is the Queen of Hearts?   Old Maid game -  Deal all the cards,  players remove any pairs,  players to the left may select a card , if the card makes a pair they discard it, the next person on the left continues, as players lay all cards down they are out of the game.  The last player with the queen of hearts is the queen of hearts.  She will receive a prize crown and heart scepter. 

The Queen of Hearts shows no love in Alice in Wonderland, she often says “off with her head” but God has given us the ability to love one another with a perfect love.  Our queen of hearts bears love!

1 Peter 1:22-25 (King James Version)

 ²²Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently

So today our queen will show love to others and we will show love to her!

The Cards in Alice’s world made a mistake of having white roses for the Queen of Hearts, so they painted them. We will be “Painting the Roses Red” not blue not green, not aquamarine- This crafted pin will remind us of God’s love for us, because we are nothing without Gods love.

Song of Solomon 2

 ¹I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. ²As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters.

10:45- 11:15 Craft-  Painting the Roses Red Pin- White premade fimo roses, paint red with green leaves.  Need paint, brushes.  These can be drying while we do other things. When finished create a pin and put a ribbon on them to wear that Sunday at church.

Alice worked really hard to find her way. Through hard work much can be accomplished, that is why I would like to now Thank  all that took the time to dress up for this day. It always takes a little more effort to make things really special, and I appreciate all you have done.  I would like to show my thanks to Colette, Siri, and Cheran for all the extra help and time they invested in making this a special retreat by giving them a gift.  

11:15-11:30 Costume Prizes

Now we will sit down to feed!  Pray for food

11:30 – 12:00 High Tea-  Sandwiches, cookies, scones, tea, lemonade etc.

The Chesire Cat has a large grin and is often into mischief. Much of what the world offers comes disguised behind a mask of pleasure,  remember God is truth and in him is no shadow of turning

James 1  ¹⁷Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.  ¹⁸Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures

Lets pin a grin on the Chesire Cat – need scarf or something to cover eyes.

12:00- 12:20 Game- Pin the grin on the Chesire  Cat

Now that our cat has a grin let us fill our hearts within, 

There is no better way to grow, this the Bible tells me so

So into God’s word, Let the Holy Spirit be Heard

12:20- 12:40 Devotional     Open with Prayer

Alice was a little girl, who like you and me,  was on a journey.   She began her journey with the White Rabbit, who ran huffing and puffing, complaining about the time.  Many people are like the white rabbit, They rush and rush through life, because we all know that life is brief.

Psalm 103:14-16 (New American Standard Bible)

 ¹⁴For He Himself knows our frame; He is mindful that we are but dust.  ¹⁵As for man, his days are like grass; As a flower of the field, so he flourishes.  ¹⁶When the wind has passed over it, it is no more, And its place acknowledges it no longer.

After falling through the Rabbit hole, Alice struggles to determine whether she has become another girl.  When the Caterpillar asks her who she is, she is unable to answer, as she feels that she has changed several times since that morning. Alice grows and shrinks several times, which she finds "very confusing". The Cheshire cat is questioning her sanity. As she has entered Wonderland, she must be mad, he states.   

When God changes us it can be confusing those around us.  We no longer want to do the things of the world; we want to follow the things of God.  Our worldly friends remain with the world, and we change. We might even wonder why our friends find our change is so strange  and why they no longer want to be with us. We are very different because we are new creatures

2Cor. 5 ¹⁷Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.  ¹⁸And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation.   

Friends that we once had are no longer interested in being with us because we are different.

 Eph. 4 ²²That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;  ²³And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; ²⁴And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

While in Wonderland, Alice encounters a way of living and reasoning that is quite different from her own; she is a stranger in a strange land.  We too are in a land that often feels strange.  If you are called of God, chosen before the foundations of the world then we are traveling this land as strangers.  In Hebrews, the great faith book,  is a list of many  godly people that through faith realized that they we strangers on earth, they served God for a lifetime, feeling as a stranger, but trusting that one day they would be with God. No longer strangers, but then children.

Hebrews11:13-16

^{13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them, embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.}

In Alice’s journey she experiences different trials that seem to be very unjust, and characters that are outlandish.  During the journey through Wonderland, Alice learns to understand the adult world somewhat more. In fact, she is growing up. This is also represented by her physical changes during the story.  More and more she starts to understand the creatures that live in Wonderland.  From the Cheshire Cat she learns that 'everyone is mad here'. She learns to cope with the crazy Wonderland rules, and during the story she gets better in managing her situations. She tells the Queen of Hearts that her order is 'nonsense' and prevents her own beheading. In the end Alice has adapted and lost most of her vivid imagination that comes with childhood. She realizes what the creatures in Wonderland really are 'nothing but a pack of cards'. At this point, she has matured too much to stay in Wonderland, the world of the children, and wakes up into the 'real' world, the world of adults.  

We too experience trials and outlandish characters in our journey.  As we travel and begin to understand the things of God more and more. And as we follow God we find we are growing up. Like Alice there are times of growing and shrinking, but more and more we begin to understand that this world and the things it has to offer are “nothing but a pack of cards” There is power only in God, and our real world is in the presence of God.

Romans 5: 3-5  we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; ⁴And patience, experience; and experience, hope: ⁵And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

In  the next book, “Through the Looking Glass, “ we see that Alice has grown up, and that she is more confident with herself when associating with the Wonderland characters. She now teaches some of the Wonderland characters a lesson and even mothers them, like she does with the clumsy White Knight.  In fact, Alice is trying to reach a higher social position.

Like Alice, as we grow in Christ, we realize that we must now minister and teach those around us. We proclaim the Good News of the Gospel to those that are lost.  We minister, like a mother, to the needs and training of growing Christians.  We devote our life to service, not to reach a higher social position, but because God has already given us the best position in Christ

Because of God’s mercy and grace to us, we must do as it says in Romans 12:

Be Living Sacrifices to God

 ¹ I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. ² And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Serve God with Spiritual Gifts
³ For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. ⁴ For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, ⁵ so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. ⁶ Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; ⁷ or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; ⁸ he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Behave Like a Christian
⁹ Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. ¹⁰ Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; ¹¹ not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; ¹² rejoicing in hope, patient in tribulation, continuing steadfastly in prayer; ¹³ distributing to the needs of the saints, given to hospitality.
¹⁴ Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. ¹⁵ Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep. ¹⁶ Be of the same mind toward one another. Do not set your mind on high things, but associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own opinion.
¹⁷ Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men.

As we walk through this time when we are in “Wonderland” Let’s not forget that we are only here for a moment. Remember, life IS brief.  Serve God and do the reasonable service of giving Him your whole life.  If you haven’t done that, you need to see me to find out how you can.  If you have given God your life, are you serving, are you being Christ like?  Or are you letting “Wonderland” entrap you?

Let’s Pray

The Mad Hatter, for no apparent reason often moved from cup to cup at the table. We are now going to play.   It is similar to musical chairs, but we don’t move, only the dormouse/ hedgehog will be moving from cup to cup.  As you are eliminated you will have the opportunity to get your picture taken as one of the wonderland characters,  see Cheran to get your Photos done. ( Wonderland characters were painted on large cardboard cut outs. Ladies stuck their heads through and we took their photo)

12:20- 12:40 Game - Clean cup, clean cup, move down , move down-  need door mouse ( like musical chairs, but we don’t remove a chair, we remove a cup. Ladies are out by their relationship to the door mouse.

1.       Lady to the right of the dormouse

2.       Lady across from the dormouse

3.       Lady 3 to the left of the dormouse

4.       Lady with the dormouse in front of her

5.       Lady 3 to the right of the dormouse

6.       2 ladies, one on each side of the dormouse

7.       Lady to the left of the dormouse

8.       Lady 4 to the right

9.       Lady across from

10.   All ladies except the lady sitting with the dormouse (this one is a maybe)  Last few that remain get the flower teapot arrangements.

As the ladies get out of this game they move over to an area where they will have their pictures taken in the photo characters.  These can be printed and given out on Sunday as reminders of all the fun they had.

At the Mad Hatter’s tea party they celebrated their Un-birthdays! We too should be celebrating daily our gifts that God has blessed us with.

James 1:17
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.

I hope you all know the songs because it is time to sing

12:40- 1:10 It’s time for A Very Merry Un-birthday!! Sing song and give gifts-

A very merry unbirthday To me?
To you
A very merry unbirthday
For me?
For you
Now blow the candle out, my dear
And make your wish come true
A very merry unbirthday to you

Inside the tea bag:  small playing cards, flower suckers, lamp-work  teapot beads that will be used next to make a bracelet, poem

As Alice finished her time in wonderland, she took with her memories of a very special day.  We want you to take with you good memories as well.  So inside your tea bag present you will find a small flowered box that contains beads to create an Alice in wonderland bracelet and hearts in a bag to create a heart bracelet.  SHOW EXAMPLES

When you finish these we encourage you to have another Mad Hatter afternoon cup of tea and fellowship with one another.  We are going to say our closing prayer now,  and at 1:40 change wonderland back into our church building, and dismiss for the afternoon.  I pray that God spoke to you today, that you renewed your spirit in fellowship, and that you serve God with gladness.

-  Tea Party Bracelets-  Ladies will make their own bracelets using teapot lamp beads.

Queen of Heart croquet-  Getting the hedgehog to roll the furthest.

End of the day-  Mad Hatter Afternoon Tea  and fellowship

1:40- clean up

Tables were decorated with these themes

Alice when she is very small (large tea cups, tea pots)

Alice when she is very tall (small tea cups, tea pots)

Alice when she isn't Alice at all (misc tea cups, tea pots)